FREQUENTLY ASKED 
QUESTIONS

Mission Driven Churches is a network of congregations, pastors, chaplains, and ministry partners helping one another move forward in the mission of Jesus Christ.Legally, we remain American Baptist Churches of Michigan, doing business as Mission Driven Churches. Our public ministry name expresses the shared purpose that brings our churches together.

Yes. American Baptist Churches of Michigan remains our legal identity. We continue to value the relationships, heritage, and faithful ministry associated with that name.Mission Driven Churches expresses how we seek to live out that calling today: as a connected family of churches committed to discipleship, healthy leadership, church renewal, and gospel witness.

DBA stands for “doing business as.” It allows an organization to use a public name that differs from its legal name.American Baptist Churches of Michigan is our legal name. Mission Driven Churches is the name under which we present and carry out our ministry. Both names identify the same organization.

The name puts our shared calling into clear language. We want to help churches discover renewed purpose, develop leaders, make disciples, and participate in the mission of Jesus Christ in their communities.It also provides a welcoming point of connection for congregations that share our convictions and approach to church life, including those that do not use “Baptist” in their name or describe themselves primarily through a denominational identity.

American Baptist Churches of Michigan remains our legal name, and ABC-MI is its familiar abbreviation. Those names continue to appear in official records, governing documents, ordination materials, and other communications.Mission Driven Churches is our public ministry name. These names express different aspects of the same organization.

Use Mission Driven Churches when sharing our events, website, and ministry resources.When fuller identification is helpful, use:“Mission Driven Churches is the ministry network of American Baptist Churches of Michigan.”Congregations may continue to describe their American Baptist affiliation accurately. Churches participating through another form of partnership should use language that reflects that relationship.

No. Our churches serve different communities and bring different histories, worship expressions, leadership arrangements, and ministry gifts.We help congregations discern faithful next steps in their own settings. Shared mission creates opportunities to learn from one another while honoring the character and calling of each local church.